Diversity of Dhaka: Crowd, food and localities

Dhaka, a city concentrated with buildings like Lego blocks and abuzz with a crowd that does not rest, is what we dearly call home.  Despite the concrete jungle, the city has a distinct energy about it, an energy like no other, and what creates this vigour are the various places that make up the city, the vivacious crowd, and the myriad food among other things.

Being the central hub of Bangladesh, Dhaka has seen an influx of people from various corners of the country making it the true melting pot of cultures.

While some parts of Dhaka have captivated within them the bloodshed history of an epoch, such as the alleys and walls of old Dhaka, others such as Gulshan will transport you to a completely different world, with its contemporary buildings and modern architecture. Take an excursion in the older parts of Dhaka and you will find historical buildings we read about in books, the architecture of which will fascinate you.

Yet, the other modish part of the city is as if located in a separate time zone altogether with its skyscrapers, modern buildings, and urban architecture.

While a walk around TSC will remind you of simpler times and a humble lifestyle, the glass buildings on the other side of the town shall remind you about the progress we have made and how far we aspire to go.    

With the vastness of the many areas comes the multiplicity of people and localities, Dhaka is also diverse in terms of thoughts and dialects. Different people bring in their perspectives from all over the country and these differences are what make conversations with people exciting.

Another interesting part about conversing with the people of Dhaka is the various dialects, languages, and accents you can hear. From the amusing Dhakaiya way of speaking, to the more organised "shudhho Bangla" and the several dialects of Bangla, Dhaka truly is the cultural hotspot. And you do not even need to travel or explore much to experience this. From personal experience, shopping in New Market is enough to expose you to many.

The food scene of Dhaka and the variety that exists within is unmatched by any other. Some dishes have been passed down from generation to generation, such as biriyani, and then there are some that we have recently been introduced to owing to the diversity of the crowd, waffles for example.

The culinary hotspots of Dhaka even have their vibe -- the authenticity of Nazira Bazar, variety in Satmasjid Road, and international options in Banani-11 -- all have their distinct ambiance.

With people living in the city from all parts of the country, we get to taste the diverse taste Bangladesh has to offer, from various sweets and pithas to the many types of delectable meat dishes that represent different corners of the country. If you are lucky to be surrounded by a diverse crowd, then potluck parties should be enough to give you a taste of Bangladesh -- and this is probably something no other city in the country can offer. 

The diverse group of people, the vivacity of the culinary scene, and the liveliness of localities are truly what make this place magical.